Job Summary
Event Design Assistant – Independent Contractor
Company: Indelible Event Management
Position Type: Independent Contractor / Project-Based
Experience Required: Minimum 3 Years
Location: Columbus, Ohio + Event Locations
Schedule: Flexible; evenings, weekends, early mornings, and event days may be required
Compensation: Project-based; generally equivalent to $25–$40 per hour, depending on project scope, experience, responsibilities, and skill level
About Indelible Event Management
Indelible Event Management (IEM) is a full-service event management and design firm specializing in corporate, nonprofit, government, and social experiences. We create intentional, elevated environments that bring our clients’ visions to life while delivering an exceptional guest experience.
We are seeking an experienced Event Design Assistant to join our creative team on a contract basis. This role is ideal for someone who has a strong eye for design, understands the physical demands of event production, and enjoys transforming concepts into beautifully executed spaces.
The Role
The Event Design Assistant will support IEM’s design team with the preparation, installation, execution, and breakdown of event décor and design elements.
This is a hands-on event design and production role. The ideal candidate is creative, resourceful, detail-oriented, dependable, and comfortable working in fast-paced event environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with executing event design concepts, floor plans, and overall creative vision
- Support event installations, including tablescapes, centerpieces, vignettes, lounge areas, stages, bars, registration areas, photo moments, signage, and other décor elements
- Prepare, organize, pack, load, unload, and inventory décor and event materials
- Assist with floral placement and styling of design elements
- Create floor plan maps and layouts for optimal event flow and guest engagement
- Style event spaces according to approved design plans and direction
- Assist with sourcing décor, furnishings, props, linens, and other design elements when assigned
- Coordinate with the Lead Designer and event management team during installation
- Identify design or installation challenges and proactively assist with solutions
- Maintain organization and care of IEM and client-owned décor and materials
- Assist with event strike, breakdown, packing, inventory, and restoration of the venue
- Maintain a professional presence when interacting with clients, venues, vendors, and event partners
- Follow established timelines, production schedules, safety procedures, and IEM standards
Required Experience
Candidates must have a minimum of three (3) years of verifiable, hands-on professional experience in event design, event floor mapping, event décor, event production, floral/event styling, visual merchandising, or a closely related field.
The three-year requirement should reflect consistent professional experience actively supporting the design and production of events. Relevant experience may include:
- Event décor installation and strike
- Tablescape and centerpiece setup
- Event space styling and staging
- Floral placement and styling
- Lounge, vignette, stage, and photo-moment installation
- Linen preparation and placement
- Décor inventory, packing, loading, and organization
- Working from design boards, layouts, renderings, or creative direction
- Working onsite with professional event designers, planners, production companies, venues, or décor firms
Volunteer experience, personal event decorating, occasional event assistance, or an interest in event design alone will not satisfy the three-year professional experience requirement.
While this is an Event Design Assistant position, it is not an entry-level role. The selected contractor should already understand the fundamentals of professional event design and production and be prepared to contribute effectively with limited training.
Additional Qualifications
- Strong understanding of tablescapes, décor placement, color, scale, spatial design, and overall event aesthetics
- Ability to interpret design boards, inspiration images, layouts, and creative direction
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality execution
- Ability to work independently while taking direction from the Lead Designer or Project Lead
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution-oriented in fast-paced environments
- Reliable transportation and ability to travel to local event venues and production locations
- Ability to work nontraditional hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays when required
- Ability to lift, carry, move, and install event décor, furnishings, and production materials
We’re Looking for Someone Who Is
Creative. You notice the details and understand how individual design elements contribute to the overall experience.
Dependable. Event production operates on firm timelines. Being punctual, prepared, and accountable is essential.
Resourceful. You don’t freeze when something changes onsite—you help find a solution.
Collaborative. You work well alongside designers, planners, vendors, venue teams, and production partners.
Professional. You understand that every interaction onsite represents the IEM brand.
Hands-On. You are equally comfortable styling a beautiful tablescape and helping unload, install, pack, and strike an event.
Compensation & Contractor Relationship
This is an independent contractor, project-based position. Assignments will be offered based on IEM’s event calendar, project requirements, and contractor availability.
Project-Based Compensation
Compensation will primarily be established as a flat project fee based on the scope, complexity, responsibilities, anticipated level of effort, and required expertise for each assignment.
Each project assignment will include a defined scope of work, expected responsibilities, project timeframe, and agreed-upon compensation prior to the contractor accepting the assignment.
Examples of project-based assignments may include event design preparation, décor production, installation, and styling, event-day design support, strike, or a combination of these responsibilities.
Typical project fees may range from $750–$2,500+ per assignment, depending on the size, complexity, duration, and level of responsibility associated with the project. Larger or more complex assignments may be priced separately. The timeframe of this
Hourly Assignments
Certain assignments may be compensated at an hourly rate when the scope is better suited for time-based support. When applicable, hourly rates will generally range from $25–$40 per hour, based on experience, skill level, and responsibilities.
Hourly work must be tied to a specific project, approved scope, and defined assignment. Contractors are not authorized to perform or bill additional hours outside of the approved project scope without prior authorization from IEM.
Each project assignment will have a defined scope, project timeframe, expected deliverables, and flat project fee communicated prior to acceptance.
Project timeframes may range from a single event day to multiple days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the assignment. Contractors will be provided with anticipated production, preparation, installation, event, and strike requirements applicable to their assigned scope.
Flat project fees are based on the overall scope and successful completion of the assigned deliverables, rather than open-ended hourly billing.
Where appropriate, IEM may provide an estimated level of effort or anticipated time commitment to help contractors evaluate an assignment. This estimate does not authorize additional hours, expanded responsibilities, or work outside of the agreed-upon scope.
Any material change to the project scope, deliverables, or required timeframe must be approved by IEM in advance and may result in an adjustment to the project fee.
Contractor Expectations
This position does not provide guaranteed hours or a recurring weekly schedule. Contractors may accept or decline individual project opportunities based on their availability.
Compensation and expectations will be communicated in advance for each assignment. Any work outside of the agreed-upon project scope must receive prior approval before being performed.
Projects requiring advanced design skills, floral experience, complex installations, or increased onsite responsibility may receive higher project-based compensation.
To Apply
Please submit:
- Resume outlining relevant event design or production experience
- Portfolio or examples of previous professional event design work
- An introduction describing your event design experience
- General availability, including evenings and weekends
- Two professional references
Pay: $25.00 - $40.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Columbus, OH 43235
